Poetic genius of the “Chevalier of the Order of Loneliness”, Galaktion Tabidze.
Prepared by Levan Abramishvili
Thursday, April 11
The Messenger continues to showcase the Georgian culture, history, and literature to its readers. Today we offer several poems by the beloved poet for every Georgian, Galaktion Tabidze. Born in a small village of Chkvishi near Vani on November 17, 1892, he grew up to become a powerful literary influence to his contemporaries, as well as all subsequent generations of poets in Georgia. Known for his bohemian lifestyle, he quickly became a target of Soviet authorities, even though he survived Stalin's Great Purge in the 1930s, the regime still had an irreversible effect on him. Many of his writer friends and relatives, among them his wife, Olga Okujava, fell victims to the Purge, which plunged him into depression and alcoholism. Due to his preference for solitude, he gained the moniker of "Chevalier of the Order of Loneliness" from his cousin Titsian Tabidze, another well-known poet. His prolonged depression eventually resulted in his institutionalization, he was placed in a mental hospital, where he ended his life by jumping from the window. He was interred at the Mtatsminda Pantheon, his funeral being attended by tens of thousands. In his poems, he explores various topics that are universal to the human experience. Influenced by Baudelaire, Poe and the Symbolists, he stands alongside Rilke, Yeats, and Apollinaire as one of the great poets of his age. It is doubtful that the translations bring true justice to his genius of unparalleled lyricism and content of his poems. But hopefully, readers will gain some sense of what Galaktion Tabidze embodied and why he gained acclaim from the Georgian public.
The Moon over Mtatsminda
My eyes have never seen the moon so lovely as tonight;
In silence wrapt, it is the breathless music of the night.
Moonbeams embroider shadows with a fine thread of silver light;
O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight!
The moon adorned in beams of pearls seems like a queen divine;
The stars like fire-flies tangled in a web about her shine.
The Mtkvari flows a silver stream of lambent beauty bright;
O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight!
Here in immortal calm and peace the great and noble sleep
Beneath the soft and dewy turf in many a mouldering heap.
Here Baratashvili came with wild desires to madness wrought,
Oppressed by raging fires of passion, and perplexing thought.
O, could I like the swan pour forth my soul in melody
That melts the mortal heart and breathes of immortality!
Let my free song fly far beyond this world to regions high
Where on the wings of poesy it will glorify the sky.
If death approaching makes the fragrance of the roses sweeter,
Attunes the soul to melodies that make all sadness dearer,
And if that swan's song thus becomes a denizen of heaven,
If in that song she feels that death will be but ecstasy, then, -
Let me like her sing one last song, and in death find delight.
So breathless still and lovely I have never seen the night!
O, mighty dead, let me die here beside you as I sing.
I am a poet, and to eternity my song I fling,
And let it be the fire that warms and lights the spirit's flight.
O, eyes have never seen the sky so lovely as tonight!
Snow Fell On Winter Gardens
Snow fell on winter gardens,
a coffin was brought out
and the standards unfolded
caught by the dishevelled breeze.
The roadway was desolate,
without form and without shape.
One more coffin was brought out…
The raven's exhortation:
Let the bells toll! Bury them!
Snow fell on winter gardens.
Let the Banners Wave on High!
The day has dawned: A sun of fire glides up…
Let the banners wave on high!
The soul's athirst for Liberty and Right
As wounded deer that seek a streamlet bright.
Let the banners wave on high!
Glory to those with souls devoid of fear,
Who for the people's cause did bravely die…
Their names shine bright like torches in the night…
Let the banners wave on high!
Glory to him who fills our hearts with hope,
Braves foes with matchless worth and fearless eye!
The day has dawned! United let us fight!
Let Freedom's banner over us wave on high!
